A while back, I was thinking about when we hear the saying, “So & So needs the Fear of God put in him!” And that’s usually stated in a situation if someone is really going off the rails and needs to be put back on the straight & narrow!
But, I began to think about what a BLESSING it actually is to have a fear of God in your heart. Biblically speaking, that may actually be one of the *best* prayers you could pray for anyone you love and especially your enemies!! What if we began to pray for a Fear of the LORD in ourselves & the hearts of people, neighbors, family, enemies, friends, politicians and strangers.
It’s the BEGINNING of wisdom according to Prov 1:7. So, what if we really internalize what that means? No wisdom can really come from a person who doesn’t fear God, so that has big implications for who we listen to and give influence in our lives. Question #1 should be – Does this person Fear God? If not, I’d genuinely think twice before giving them any space to influence your life.
What if we began to teach our kids to watch for a Fear of God in people who influence their lives, too. I think it’s a valid litmus test.
And how much better if we become those people in the lives of those around us!